Re: '90 200 - various minor problems

[PlyBoyDoct@aol.com]

Going to answer this to the best of my knowledge.....

> I have a variety of problems with my 1990 200 Quattro.  All
>  are intermittent, so they've been tough to track down.  I'd
>  appreciate any suggestions.
>  
>  1) The "check engine" warning light comes on when
>  accelerating with RPM's between 3000 and 3250.  The light is
>  only on when the engine is in this range.  It seems to
>  happen more when the outside temperature is cold.  More load
>  makes it easier to occur.  I can do get the light to come on
>  consistently in 5th gear.  The lower the gear, the less
>  likely the light will come on.  I'm guessing this is the O2
>  sensor, but I'd like to be more sure before replacing it.

Could be the O2 but it could be another senor with a bad ground.

>  
>  2) The temperature gauge sometimes is slow to move from
>  cold.  Then it comes up quickly to read normally.  This has
>  happened since I bought the car.  Recently, the overheating
>  warning light comes on occasionally.  The car shows no signs
>  of overheating (e.g. no steam, temperature gauge does not
>  read high temp).  If I turn off the engine and immediately
>  restart, the warning light will be off, and does not come
>  back on.  Also, the warning light sometimes goes off even if
>  I keep driving.  (No, I don't drive this way a lot, but it
>  sometimes goes out within a minute.)  I think this might be
>  a bad sensor or electrical connection.  Which sensors go
>  with the gauge and warning light?

Ok, I think this is 2 problems.  Problem one is  the temp gauge.  It needs to 
be replaced.  I had mine done at 80k miles.  Problem two might have to do 
with not enough water in the radiator.  The sensor in that is stubborn.  Just 
fill it up and get water wetters in that too.

>  
>  3) When I turn on the headlights (or just the parking
>  lights), both turn signal indicators and the high beam
>  indicator come on.  The lights between these indicators
>  become dim.  If I turn on the signal indicator, the proper
>  arrow and the high-beam indicator will flash alternately
>  (varying intensity, they never go out all the way.)  Is this
>  just a bad switch?  How hard is it to replace?
>  
Check the grounds.  If a brake light is OUT then it could do that.  Try 
putting ALL the bulbs in the back and in the front parking lights and check 
to see if that does it.  It also could be the turn switch.  Mine is STUCK on 
high beam when I turn on the lights.  Thats ok, since no one can tell the 
difference because of the crappy output in them.  I'm a Happy Camper!

Jason C
89 200t10v
Redmond WA